Figster

From memory I want to say 4%, Don't quote me on it though...

After going into the yellow phase here in Erie County, Pa 5 days ago I'm happy to report only one new confirmed case since yesterday. Over a quarter of a million people in our County with 123 confirmed cases. 100 of them have quarantined and gone on to test negative. The kind of numbers we would like to see everywhere. Before entering the yellow phase there was talk of our county becoming a role model for other counties in the hard hit state of Pa. We shall see...

Good question, Security and privacy issues are already a problem when it comes to Covid 19.

I like the sound of transparency the name brings. Turning problems into solutions... ...I like it...

Myself personally, preparations for a possible 2nd wave needs to begin now. Regardless of all the mixed signals on mask protection people are going to protest. You can count on it. Regardless of how hard we try to enforce social distancing people are going to gather in close quarters. You can count on it. Its happening right now, as we speak. We can't all walk around wearing masks forever. I have no problem walking among people without a mask If the people without a mask have had Covid 19, quarantined, and are testing negative. I have my mask and regardless of all the mixed signals it does protect me. The point I was trying to make Hapless is If protesters are going to march through the streets without wearing a mask I would prefer they were asked to join a program that was geared to test new idea's /applications. Pay them for their services. Enter these same protesters into a Herd immunity testing project after they have had Covid 19 and allow them to go about their daily businees without a mask. (clearly indicated and tested daily) Part of the problem becomes part of the solution...

If you choose to you can live your life aloneSome people choose the city, Some others choose the good old Family home, I like living easy without family ties, Till the whippoorwill of freedom zapped meRight between the eyes, 'Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia Freedom,From the day that I was born, I've waved the Flag Philadelphia Freedom took me knee high to a man,

Whats the old saying, "If you can't beat them, join them." Not wearing a mask or practicing social distancing seems crazy to most of us because we really don't have an alternative to protect ourselves or those around us at this point. On the other hand we have a good sized number of folks that for whatever the reason may be feel the need to use the freedoms our country has given them and make a stand. Well what If both sides could meet in the middle. We have vaccines in trial phase and the need for new ideas and applications to be tested. We need to build the Herd. If people are asking to be exposed give them what they want in a more controlled setting and pay them for their services. They can quarantine, test negative and go on about their business wearing a clearly visible indicator to those around them that they are now a herd test subject. Human Guinea pigs for hire...

Myself personally, from my own observations I've watched a decrease in the use of masks and other protective measures taken in my community since the announcement of our county going into the yellow phase. Mostly house/yard gatherings albeit and probably with close friends or other family members. Just watched a group across the street pulling up, younger couple with their son carrying a hanging basket of flowers. In all likelihood a mothers day gift. Nobody wearing a mask visting senior citizens. If you visit mom on mothers Day, for those of us who are fortunate enough to do so, pls wear a mask for moms sake.

Such a good point to make, thanks Doc Brown, Here in Erie County Pa we entered into the yellow phase after seeing the biggest spike our county has seen yesterday. Our numbers are still very low, but it goes to show the need for unity. Its imparative everyone works together on this Doc...

If you are willing to wear a mask (properly) and practice social distancing you are not being selfish for wanting our way of life to get back to normal IMO. We have hard working Americans in food lines to feed their children. People need to work, collect a paycheck. The ones who will not wear a mask and practice social distancing are the real problem.

I agree 100% Myself personally, If we could get our better half of the population (woman) on board with wearing facial protection over half the battle is won IMO. No macho man attitude to overcome. Allow them to lead by example. I mentioned a veil type face protection in an earlier post. Something more attractive and less restrictive. With much of the population resorting to a scarf or bandana type facial covering. I think its possible a veil made of the right material could offer a more suitable and desirable protective wear for both indoor and outdoor activities IMO. Children also need something less restrictive and easier to wear... https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2020/may/04/bengaluru-researchers-eye-static-electric-masks-to-repel-covid-19-2138848.html Going hand in hand with the veil possibly...

Talking about dangerous rhetoric, how about the CDC telling people not to wear a mask unless you have Covid 19. The US Surgeon General meanwhile is advising the public not to buy masks. So we end up with people who have Covid 19 and they can't get a proper mask to contain it. The rest of the public has zero protection. Myself personally, by telling the public not wear a mask early on, especially where big out breaks were occurring. It sent the wrong message to everyone. Countless lives were lost because of it in my humble opinion.

Cuomo, in the face of adversity, continues to impress...

Good point, on the other hand though, If its not an N95 mask its more about small droplets of spittlle IMO. On the exhale which does become a problem with a cheaper poor fitting mask eye glasses can fog up. From a spittle standpoint , I don't see the small amount of air loss as a danger to yourself or others IMO. (correct me If I'm wrong on this Hapless) Myself personally, having to reach up and remove your glasses because you can't see creats even more of a health risk Been there, done that...

Finding new/ innovative attractive protective wear to help face the challenges the future may bring helps our economy in many ways IMO. Its possible something more attractive and less restrictive might find a happy middle ground for beach goer's and other outdoor activities. While I can't really picture men wearing them, a veil type face protection by way of example for woman. From a social distancing standpoint woman wearing veils creats a safety barrier between individuls IMO Or a see through umbrella perhaps that is designed to drop past the waist line. ( or even lower ) The umbrella could also help enforce social distancing. Or how about big clear beach balls people climb into and roll/walk around in, ( I kid ) Umbrella's, man sized beach balls and high winds, hehe Figster, what have you done...

RIP coach

The antibody test could work as a fail safe for the false negatives on the nose swabs. ( IMO ) For identifying and community tracking/ tracing purposes do you think we may get to a point where both types of test are given at the same time? (PCR and blood) Thanks again for becoming our TBD resident guru on Covid 19 Much appreciated...

I think its very important that people who have symptoms of Covid 19, or think they may have had it in the past, get tested ASAP.

Good point Its possible however that some are exposed to a daily low dosage that might be equivalent in my humble opinion. What is the cumulative effect? Nuclear workers for instance are very closely monitored and the levels of radiation they are exposed to on a daily basis is logged carefully in accordance with ALARA. The main Dosimetry to monitor the exposure is worn on the chest area.

This is an older article from back in 2011 that has some interesting information. https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/6932-the-effects-of-low-dose-radiation It would be interesting to see some data on workers in the Nuclear Industry who have tested positve for Covid 19. Or radiologists in the medical industry. Good call on the earlier era practices coming back to aid us.

Its possible slowly lifting restrictions in a safe and timely manner may help root out small pockets of Covid 19 super carriers. Until everyone can be tested locating small outbreaks before they become larger is the key to success IMO. So while it may mean others will test positive because of the lifting of restrictions. My hopes are the ones that do can sound an alarm quickly and give accurate information on thier whereabouts that will help save others. Eventually getting everyone on the same timetable across the nation makes sense IMO. I suppose there is an argument to be made in that respect.

With less then 1% of the US population infected its easy to see how much worse it could actually get without proper intervention in my humble opinion.

Sounds like this is tugging at your heart. Perhaps you should open up a dialogue with your mom and other members of the household. Stair lift is always an option. Sometimes a downstairs room can be partitioned off and changed over into a bedroom. I see this problem allot in houses with all the bedrooms and only one bath on the upstairs. Stairs can become an obstacle/ safety hazard for the elderly and handicapped. Many people develop knee problems as they get older. There are also portable ways of using the bathroom. 92 year old moms are hard to come by...

Yikes, returning your cousin to the nursing home before she was recovered from Covid 19 was not good. Do you happen to know how big the outbreak was in the nursing home? I almost hate to ask. ...thats one brave lady... your cousin in Rochester... ...I hope the one in VA has a safe recovery...

Speaking of rays, https://radiationoncology.emory.edu/news/featured/low-dose-chest-radiation-for-covid19-patients.html Could radiation help unlock some of the mysteries to Covid 19?